Hey all, im kinda in a real bind. i have a copy of SBS 2008 standard edtion which is useless to me because its 64-bit ONLY. long story short it has to be 32-bit no if no buts. now i cant return the software because ive opened it and ONLY when opened did i find it was 64-bit ONLY as it doesnt say on the packaging. i thought ok ill downgrade to server 2003 R2 standard 32-bit. how the hell do i do that ? im guessing i just need the discs and i make phone call to MS to explain i have a valid 2008 license and need to downgrade ? second issue how do i get the discs ?
SBS 2008 is only available in 64bit editions. Did you buy OEM, Retail or Volume licensing? What part needs to be in 32bit for your network to run? There are ways of getting 32bit IIS apps to run on SBS 2008
its OEM. i know SBS 2008 is 64-bit only now lol. software i have no idea as im not installing got it for a customer as a favour and its turned in to a nightmare because he rushed me to get it and i ordered the wrong thing. basically it has to be 32-bit no 64-bit workarounds. is server 2008 R2 available as 32-bit ? like this: http://www.scan.co.uk/products/micr...dard-1-4-cpu-5-clt-without-hyper-v-technology
OEM doesn't come with downgrade rights. Server 2008 R2 is 64bit only. Original Server 2008 is available in 32bit or 64bit (If you can still find it)
R2 is 64bit only Original Server 2008 (non R2) is available in both SBS 2008 is 64bit only as exchange 2007 is installed Exchange 2007 won't install on R2 so there are some original Server 2008 discs still available
so the only thing they can do is to buy a server 2008 with SP2 which comes with both 32-bit and 64-bit discs ? it doesnt just come with 64-bit discs does it ?? certainly dont want to be bitten in the arse twice. doesnt really solve my issue of an unwanted SBS 2008 though !!!!
Server 2008 with SP2 (original version) comes with both discs in the box. I have however just spoke to my MS partner account manager who has informed me they can downgrade your SBS 2008 Standard to SBS 2003 R2 for you. Follow these steps to downgrade to a previous version of Windows server software: 1.Obtain genuine Windows Server 2003 or Windows Small Business Server 2003 media and a corresponding product key. ◦The media should come from a prior legally licensed version from the OEM or Retail channels. ◦Additionally an end user, who is licensed separately through Microsoft Volume Licensing programs, may provide their VL media and key to their System Builder to use to facilitate the downgrade on only their systems. 2.Insert the downgrade media in the CD drive and follow the installation instructions. 3.Type the product key. ◦If the software was previously activated, you will not be able to activate it online. In this case, the appropriate local Activation Support phone number will be displayed. Call the number and explain the circumstances. Once it is determined that the end user has a valid Windows Server license, the customer service representative will provide a single-use activation code to activate the software. Please note that Microsoft does not provide a full product key in this scenario. 4.Activate the software. You can email direct-mar@msdirectservices.com for help with this.
thats awesome gives me an option i guess if they are ok with it. however i dont have the 2003 media . got a license from an old server in the office which have been upgraded though.
Any media will work (like the ones from your old server). You should be able to buy just the media for £20 or so from MS I'll have a look to see if I've got R2 media in my collection
that would be great whats wierd is ive just found some discs but im missing some i have discs 2,3 and 4 for 2003 R2 - where the hell is disc 1 and is there a fifth ? doesnt say 32-bit or 64-bit on it so im guessing its 32
SBS 2003 was only available in 32bit. SBS 2003 standard had 5 disks IIRC (although the 5th disk was R2 technologies). The last disk you need for the install has Outlook on it.
well problem solved using worst case we are taking the software back and been left with the cost of buying it. thanks for all the help saspro though even if the customer was a pain in the end
